Guest Opinion

Honored to be your mayor

By John Kovash

, Aug 26, 2010 (1 Reader comment)

In April, after our city government had experienced a turbulent 16 months, the city council appointed me mayor, and the first goal was to ensure that your city government was stable, secure and productive.

It has been a busy four months and, working with the council and city staff, considerable progress has been made to restore credibility, professionalism and dignity to city hall.

With less turmoil, our city staff is better able to concentrate on issues like maintaining our water system, communicating with citizens, building parks and planning what West Linn will be like in the future.

Our finance department continues to win awards for excellence and, because of our financial position, our bond rating was increased, which means lower interest and lower taxes.

The city council is proposing a ballot measure in November to pay for maintaining the system that brings clean, safe water to every home and business in West Linn. Engineers have identified 65 projects costing $21 million that are required to maintain the system, including the replacement of a 97-year-old reservoir. The council will be asking that those who use the water (that’s each of us) pay for the maintenance of the system from which we benefit.

That is being responsible.

Also in the measure is a change in pricing so that each of us pays for the water we use. In other words, if I conserve and use less water, I pay less.

That is also being responsible.

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